References

At an early stage, Ulstein mek. Verksted began rebuilding and lengthening wooden boats. The first big job was the repair and rebuilding of M/S “Havsulen” in 1919. The fishing vessel had been built at Onsøy in 1905 for O. Chr. Jensen, and had in 1917 been bought by the company Floor & Brødr Voldnes in Fosnavåg.

Starting in 1917 with repairs and ship lengthenings, and becoming an agent for the Rapp engines, the company experienced a great deal of work in its first years. Then came the regression in the 1930s, followed by WW2. The only major work during this period started in 1944 with the complete rebuild of 'Elna'.

Built in 1957, yard number 11, 'Torulf', was the first steel vessel built at Ulstein mek. Verksted, and was built from scratch. The ferry could carry 10 cars and 99 people.

Delivered in 1964, 'Poseidon' was the first passenger vessel for Stena Line. This was a major task for Ulstein mek. Verksted. The vessel´s first planned assignment was to transport the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Mr. Nikita Khrusjtsjov, and his family from Uddevalla to Gothenburg.

The internationalisation at Ulstein Verft started with the construction of fishing vessels to the Faroes and Iceland. 'Hedinn' was delivered in 1966, and was innovative in that it had refrigerated cargo tanks. It was also the first vessel to which Ulstein designed and delivered thrusters.

In 1974, Sverre Farstad & Co ordered the first offshore vessel of the UT704 type from Ulstein Hatlø yard, division Ulstein. With the UT704 design, Ulstein entered the oil business for real. A large number of vessels in the UT700 series (offshore vessels) were constructed at Ulstein Hatlø during the 1970s and 1980s.

In the past, the keel was first laid and ribs were added. The innovation of the 1970s was building in sections which were later welded together. This has the advantage of smaller hull sections which can be moved in different planes, making work on a hull simpler and quicker. 'Tender Comet' was built this way.

On 10 December 1990, the 'Polar Circle' was delivered from Ulstein Hatlø. The combined passenger vessel/research vessel entered the cruise traffic in January 1991, going to polar areas from Chile. The shipyard was later awarded the 'Outstanding Oceangoing Shipbuilder Award 1991' for the construction of this vessel.

Hull No. 247 built in 1999 by Ulstein Verft AS for Solstad Rederi AS, Norway. On the vessel's sea trial, 'Normand Progress' set a world record in bollard pull, when pulling 304 tonnes for 10 minutes. The yard received a diploma from Guinness World Records that confirmed the record.

The first vessel based on the ULSTEIN design portfolio which was launched in 2000. She is a high spec Multifunctional Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel of the ULSTEIN A101 design, designed for a wide range of offshore operations. She has large rope and wire capacities and a hotel compliment of high standards.

The AHTS ‘Bourbon Orca’ was new in three respects: Diesel electric propulsion, introduction of a safer anchor handling system, and the characteristic ULSTEIN X-BOW. Capable of operations such as Subsea Intervention, ROV operations, deepwater precision lifting and installation, transportation of cargo and oil recovery.

The vessel is designed to meet the high demands of IMR, survey, and light construction in some of the harshest environments. The versatility of the vessel allows for RFO operations, scale treatment and light diving support services. Equipment and skidding system are integrated in a large hangar area.